Ceuta Migration Crisis: Death Toll Rises To 67 As Italy Suspends Schengen With Spain

Spain’s Ceuta migration crisis has intensified as the death toll from the mass border crossings rose to 67, while Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced temporary border checks on travellers from Spain, triggering a fresh European debate over migration controls. Around 50,000 to 60,000 migrants crossed into Ceuta from Morocco, and more than 48,000 have since returned to Morocco as authorities worked to restore order.

The sudden influx overwhelmed the tiny Spanish enclave in North Africa, with migrants crossing by swimming through coastal waters, moving along breakwaters and breaching sections of the border fence. Videos from the scene showed large groups, mostly young men, celebrating after reaching Spanish territory, while women, children and families were also among those who entered.

The humanitarian toll increased as rescue teams continued operations. At least 67 people died during the attempted crossings, many while trying to swim towards Ceuta or becoming trapped in the chaotic movement of people at the border.

Spain responded by deploying additional police forces, military personnel, naval resources and specialist teams to secure the enclave. Authorities also installed a 500 metre floating barrier near the Tarajal breakwater to prevent further sea crossings.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called the mass entry a violation of Spain’s territorial integrity and blamed human smugglers and misinformation campaigns for encouraging migrants to attempt the journey. Spanish officials said smugglers had promoted the idea that reaching Ceuta had become easier after a Supreme Court ruling that restricted automatic returns of migrants intercepted at sea.

The crisis quickly spread beyond Spain’s borders. Italy introduced temporary border checks with Spain, effectively suspending normal Schengen arrangements between the two countries for security reasons. Meloni said uncontrolled illegal migration posed a threat to Europe and called for stronger protection of the continent’s external borders.

The move sparked debate inside the European Union. Supporters of stricter controls argued that governments must protect borders and maintain confidence in immigration systems, while critics warned against treating migration only as a security issue.

Ceuta’s location makes it a major migration hotspot. The Spanish enclave, along with Melilla, is one of Europe’s only territories on mainland Africa. Its border with Morocco provides a direct route into European territory for people seeking better jobs, safety and living conditions.

The latest crisis follows previous migration emergencies. In 2021, thousands crossed into Ceuta during a diplomatic dispute between Spain and Morocco, while a 2022 attempt to enter Melilla left at least 23 migrants dead.